Once upon a time there was a view that technology leaders were better leaders. The current group of technology leaders are poking holes into that view. One writer indicated that Steve Jobs was probably the last beloved tech leader the world has ever seen. I would add that Jobs is probably the last great leader to be produced by the tech world.
At one time, people believed Elon Musk might take over from Steve Jobs as a prominent figure in technology leadership. Now, he tops the list of leaders who have let down those who expected tech innovators to excel in management roles. Initially, Musk played a key role in crafting impressive products. However, he made a misstep when he excessively intertwined himself with political affairs. This shift along with his behavior has damaged his reputation and highlighted that effective leadership encompasses more than merely producing outstanding goods; it also involves genuine concern for individuals, which appears to be something Musk lacks.
Yet another tech pioneer who has let us down is Mark Zuckerberg. Like many others before him, he initially made waves when he was younger for transforming how we consume media. According to what Sarah Wynn-Williams shared in her publication and during discussions with U.S. politicians, it seems clear that Zuckerberg does not measure up as an effective leader.
In her book, Wynn-Williams asserts that Zuckerberg intentionally misused user information and misrepresented this issue. Should these allegations hold water, individuals remaining active on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram ought to anticipate potential misuse of their personal details. Given what was exposed regarding Zuckerberg, he appears to be an unreliable figure unsuited for safeguarding worldwide user data.
Evaluating these two leaders might appear insignificant; however, upon considering their impact, it becomes evident that their behavior must be revealed as it truly stands.
Many around the world are inspired by Musk and Zuckerberg even though they do terrible things.
As Zuckerberg promoted the "Move fast and break things" strategy, numerous individuals in the tech startup community adopted this business model globally.
Once Musk embraced the intense work ethic that entailed minimal sleep, numerous people followed suit with similar practices.
Despite their ambitions to become prominent leaders, even younger generations look up to both Musk and Zuckerberg. Unfortunately, these figures no longer stand as admirable role models worth emulating.
It's getting harder to come across tech leaders who are truthful, compassionate, and truly concerned about societal well-being. Performing groundbreaking and excellent tasks shouldn’t excuse them from engaging in unethical behavior offstage.
On the contrary, Jobs gained renown for crafting aesthetically pleasing items. Both their exterior and interior exuded beauty. He went as far as inspiring his staff to ensure every component remained attractive, regardless of whether customers ever saw them. He insisted that designers and engineers affix their signatures within one of the products they contributed to developing. Despite not being without flaws, many aspects of how he led are worthy of emulation.
His leadership style ignited the desire to cultivate leaders who could embody characteristics akin to those of Steve Jobs. To this end, the Steve Jobs Fellowship was established with the aim of aiding ambitious individuals during their formative years through creative, career-oriented, and personal growth phases. Over the course of one year via an off-campus initiative, fellows associated with the SJA benefit from financial assistance for their projects, engagement within a national network of like-minded participants, personalized guidance from mentors, as well as interaction opportunities with pioneering artists operating at the intersection of various fields.
In 2022, the Steve Jobs Archive made its debut. This platform features carefully selected exhibitions and publications sourced not only from personal archives but also through various initiatives, releases, and thoughtfully arranged displays that highlight Steve's profound reverence for history. The archive’s activities honour his unyielding dedication to progress by instilling his passion for quality and boundless potential into newer cohorts. Through founding enterprises like Apple and Pixar, along with groundbreaking items such as the Macintosh and iPhone, he introduced innovative methods for creation and communication to everyone—be they creators, technologists, performers, researchers, narrators, or individuals across different fields.
Steve was convinced that when you equip skilled individuals with excellent tools, they will create remarkable outcomes. However, tools encompass more than just the gadgets in our grasp; they also include the abilities we acquire, the knowledge we gain, and the relationships we nurture. The aim of the SJA Fellowship is to assist talented young individuals in advancing their growth in creative, professional, and personal aspects.
Society requires technology leaders whose influence endures well beyond their departure. There might be an allure to mimic the detrimental conduct exhibited by Musk and Zuckerberg, rationalizing it under the guise of innovation. However, Jobs demonstrated that one can drive groundbreaking change without adopting harmful ethical frameworks.
Wesley Diphoko serves as both a Technology Analyst and the Editor-in-Chief at FastCompany(SA) magazine.
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